On January 28, 2008, a 2,239 square foot unit at Trinity Place (1 Huntington Avenue) hit the market for $2,495,000. Trinity Place is a luxury, concierge served, development that houses 100 units. Unit 1302 stayed on the MLS (and still remains as active) for several hours, only to receive an accepted offer!

Trinity Place is home to the two 18th floor penthouse units that were combined after the development was completed in 2000. The two penthouse units were listed on the Boston MLS as a single unit, the highest priced condo to ever hit the Boston market at $15 million (see Trinity Place Penthouse - $15 Million). The mega listing expired, and the units are now split up, one of them listed at $7 million.

The listing agent of Unit 1302 returned a phone call on January 29th as a follow up to a client request of ours for further details on the unit…we were informed at that time that the unit had an accepted offer.

It was just over 20 days ago that we reported that the Bryant was beginning to pop out of the ground and show some upward life to it, and the pace appears to be quickening as demonstrated by these exclusive photos.

What did this site look like several years ago? A parking lot.

The above time-series photos show significant progress at the Bryant over the past month, with multiple floors now rising out of the ground over the north side of Columbus Avenue between Dartmouth and Clarendon Streets. A quick look at the moving cranes and construction noises at the Bryant on Columbus in the following video:

It was back in October 2007 that we wrote a blog post on the single remaining developer’s unit at 360 Newbury (see One Condo Left at 360 Newbury…Still). Originally priced at $1,995,000 when it hit the market in early February 2007, and after going through a significant price reduction, was finally sold on December 31, 2007 for $1,530,000.

360 Newbury, the 54-unit luxury development in Back Bay, is now completely resale as units become available. Currently, one unit is for sale in the development (see Resale Opportunity at 360 Newbury).

The Rock Opera plays on in the background as the to-be sleek Boston W Hotel & Condos continue to dig deeper into Stuart Street. One of the most popular items on this blog is information related to the Boston W Hotel, there’s absolutely an undertone of buzz and anticipation related to the project.

We were the first to bring you exclusive construction photos, including some unique rooftop shots of the entire construction site (see Boston W Hotel and Condos). Construction has progressed, but unlike the Bryant on Columbus which is now moving up (see Bryant on Columbus Turns the Heat On), the Boston W is still going subterranean - check out the exclusive photos below.

The Boston W is currently scheduled for a late 2009 opening. Officials connected with the project are declining to comment on specifics at this time, so no floor plan and/or pricing information is available. We have begun to formulate a list of interested Buyers, and if you would like to be added so that you will receive updated information as it becomes available, feel free to contact us.

Our Featured Open House of the week will take place at 253 E Street, which we covered yesterday, as perhaps the best true two-bedroom condos on the market in South Boston right now (see Best 2 Bedroom South Boston Condos). The units are being marketed by The Terrier Group, a brokerage specializing in South Boston property. Stop in to see the high-end finishes on on Sunday, January 27, 2008 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM.

While you are out and about, we suggest that you stop into the renovated schoolhouse at 125 B Street, several blocks away from 253 E Street. 125 B Street (see 125 B Street on the Boston Condo Blog) is a recently converted condo development, featuring soaring ceilings and exposed brick. 2 units remain in the development, both listed at a little over $500K. The open house at 125 B Street takes place on Sunday, January 27, 2008 from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM.

As discussed in recent comments on the blog, these developments are quite unique, 253 E Street being more of your classic condo with well-appointed detail, and 125 B Street being more the loft style condo with exposed brick and high ceilings.  Both are well done, and worth a look.

Buyers of Boston Real Estate are astute, and they’re always on the lookout for the cream of the market, at a reasonable price. Sometimes, this can be a tough combination to find, but a new 3-unit total renovation in South Boston at 253 E Street delivers quite nicely.

The penthouse unit hit the market in mid November 2007, and sold quickly for $435,000, at above asking price. The finishes and craftsmanship are stellar, and the in-unit laundry, roof deck, and Brazilian cherry floors didn’t hurt.

So, what’s left you ask? The Terrier Group, a South Boston based real estate brokerage, is marketing the remaining two units at 253 E Street that remain, priced at $379K and $389K (both right around $400 per square foot). These are two-bedroom one and a half bathroom units, with 900+ square feet, and essentially, contain all the perks you are looking for. The units were remodeled with Brazilian cherry floors, gas fireplaces for those cold Boston nights we are coming to know and love, central air conditioning for when the temperatures turn around for the summer, granite countertops, new stainless steel appliances, custom doors and exquisite crown molding, surround sound, ample closet space, tumbled marble baths with a Jacuzzi tub and a stand-up tile shower, mahogany deck (outdoor space), in-unit laundry, and private storage. On-street parking is available for neighborhood residents.

253 E Street is the work of developer Stuart Mullally, who has done many South Boston conversions, his most recent project being 474 East 4th Street.

HOA fees at 253 E Street are quite low at roughly $130, which includes water, sewer, and master insurance. Stop in and see the gleaming hardwood floors at the open house for the two remaining units, this weekend, on Sunday, January 27, 2008 from 12:30 PM to 2:00 PM.

It was back in November 2007 that John Keith reported that the Concord Baptist Church in the South End sold, to a condo developer (see South End’s Concord Baptist Church sold for “at least $3.3 million” … condos to follow?). It’s now January 2008, and the developer, Peter Zagorianakos, went out of his way on January 10, 2008 to meet with area residents who are concerned about Peter’s plan to convert the church into a condo development upon the congregation’s exit from the premises.

Notes from the meeting include the following:

Peter shared information about his firm and other projects they have done in the Boston area. He described their objective for the Concord Baptist Church – to preserve the structure as much as possible while making it usable as a residential building. He shared some of the challenges that they see with the building, including the large open volume of space, limited windows and floor space, structural problems with the two side walls, and some settling of the dome. He shared that they are considering taking the roof off and recreating it, building a structure within the structure made out of wood not steel and creating parking spaces accessible by a parking elevator. He expressed interest in hearing neighborhood opinion as input to his design process.

The community representatives shared some of their concerns, which included:

• Preserving the historical nature of the building exterior, including the roof
• Preserving the window lines, where windows are present
• Avoiding new windows or glass on the back (East) wall and roof by the abutters’ gardens. The issue of building code, property lines and windows was also raised.
• Addressing the framing and structural challenges of the project and also in the context of the financial viability of the project
• Fear that the building might be torn down if the project viability became questionable after purchase
• Understanding the details of some of the plans for the foundation and footings and the plans to mitigate construction impact on adjacent properties
• Understanding more about the number of units, total square footage and pricing
• Having sufficient parking places to accommodate all condo owners, or providing for alternative site parking
• Location of access to the building’s parking spaces
• Impact of the construction process on street parking
• Avoiding additional traffic flow or trash pickup impact on the alleyway
• Questions about the impact of the project on the water table

Peter Zagorianakos shared that he expects the permitting process to take 6 to 8 months, the construction drawings 3 months, and the construction process 15 months. The development is not yet listed on the Boston Redevelopment Authority’s website.

A meeting is scheduled for February 5, 2008 for Peter Zagorianakos to present conceptual plans to the Landmarks South End Commission (Room 801, Boston City Hall), currently scheduled to be covered at 6:50 PM.

You’ve seen the ads in various magazines and newspapers, the one looking out over Boston Harbor with a caption alluding to “this view is taken”, you guessed it, none other than Battery Wharf. An update regarding the opening of these luxury condos along the Waterfront is that the first residential units are scheduled to close late February or early March. There is an existing inventory of 44 units, starting at just over a million dollars (60 units are Under Agreement).

Audubon Circle is an extension of the Back Bay Residential District and is home to several architecturally significant buildings. This heritage is complemented by Park 461, a new five-story steel and concrete elevator building located steps from Fenway Park, and close to MBTA Green Line public transportation. Park 461 is located near the intersection of Park Drive and Beacon Street in Boston’s Fenway neighborhood.

There are currently five units at Park 461 advertised in the Boston MLS, ranging in price from $299,000 to $339,000. These 463 square foot units (brand new construction) are great for access to the various schools in the area (Longwood / Harvard Medical Center, Boston University, and Simmons), and provide a viable option to renting.

More information on the 5 available condos: Park 461 Listings (2.77 MB PDF)

Despite the Fenway being home to some architecturally superb buildings, occasionally, one slips through the cracks, as demonstrated by the below picture of a Fenway Beacon Street top floor addition that seems out of place, to say the least.

We’ve set a table in the geographic heart of Boston, amidst a lush, tree-filled 42 acres. Where crisp modernity meets the prestige of history. Where the enchantment of nature joins easy access to the bustle of downtown. Experience the sudden urge to come home early, to host dinner parties, to step off the treadmill and onto a path through the Arnold Arboretum. Experience Olmsted Green, Boston’s newest residential community.

Sounds appealing, doesn’t it? We recently received an update from the co-exclusive broker of one of Boston’s (Dorchester) latest developments, Olmsted Green.

Of a total of 287 townhouse condominiums being built, 19 homes are already framed and will be ready for occupancy in late spring or early summer. Of those 19, one of them will serve as a furnished model / sales center.

The developer has 6 homes listed in the Boston MLS, and 6 units in later phases already Under Agreement. Some recent exclusive development photos are at the bottom of this blog post, demonstrating the progress made over the last 3 months.

The developer touts that the amazing feature of the development is the location, being surrounded by the 65 acre Mass Audubon’s nature center, giving the Olmsted Green development a feeling of being in the country. The developer commented that they have seen giant owls, wild turkeys, and a fox on the construction site.

Sample listing information for a single family townhome, and condominium are below. For more information on the development at Olmsted Green, please contact us.

Olmsted Green Single Family Listing

207 West Main Street Boston, MA - $481,965

This brand new 1,552 square foot 3-bedroom, 2.5 bathroom town home on 3 levels with private master suite and french doors that open to a patio has parking and abuts Audubon sanctuary. Hardwood floors in separate living and dining areas, wall to wall carpet in the bedrooms and many energy saving features. Be part of an environmentally conscious community that will include walking trails and an urban organic farm. Includes parking.

Olmsted Green Condominium Listing

203 Lark Drive Boston, MA - $347,988 (HOA fee of $222)

This brand new 1,154 square foot 2-bedroom, 1.5-bathroom bi-level town home has an extra large master bedroom, parking and abuts an Audubon sanctuary. Gleaming hardwood floors in living and dining room, wall to wall carpet in the bedrooms, private patio, and green elements that promote a healthy lifestyle and significant energy savings. Green upgrades offered include bamboo flooring and recycled glass tile. Part of a new community that will feature walking trails and an organic farm. Includes parking.